383 Crate Engine - The Heart Of The Matter

Ben then slides the pistons and rods into the cylinders and mounts them to the crank.

With everything in place, Ben makes sure the camshaft is degreed in to assure proper valve timing and maximum efficiency.

Ben then bolts up the chrome timing chain cover, which comes standard on all Smeding crate motors.

Rounding out the bottom-end assembly is the oil pump. To ensure it works properly, the pickup tube is tack welded to the oil pump before it's torqued into place.

Lastly, Ben bolts on the chrome oil pan and seals it up using a one-piece silicon rubber oil pan gasket with steel grommets. That rounds out the motor's bottom end. Next month we'll assemble the top end and hit the dyno.